Text: Philippians 1:12-26
OPEN:
At one time or another, all of us find ourselves in situations where nothing seems to be going right. Many of us are facing challenges like that right now. Maybe it's your job, or your marriage, or your financial situation, or your health, or maybe it's all of the above. The good news is that whatever your problems may be, it is possible to face adversity with confidence and boldness. The Bible shows us how in Philippians 1:12-26.
Paul wrote Philippians during a time when life had seemingly given him nothing but lemons. He was in jail, living under the threat of death while being separated from the people he cared about. And on top of that, he knew his enemies were celebrating his incarceration. But in spite of this, Philippians is a joyful, optimistic book. Paul has shown us, in the book of Philippians, how to look up when life gets you down. The passage we're looking at today demonstrates Paul's attitude toward problem situations.
There are three important things to do when life gets you down. The first is to:
I. CONSIDER THE BENEFITS
Paul begins this passage by listing all the good things that have happened as a result of his imprisonment. In verse 12 he says this has helped to spread the gospel, in verse 13 he says the brethren have become more confident in speaking the word, and in verses 15-18 he says regardless of people's motives, Christ is being proclaimed.
Now, take a look at your problems. Ask yourself, "What are the benefits of this situation?" The benefits may not always be obvious. In fact, they may be hidden, but you will find them if you look for them.
Every problem has benefits, we just need to learn to look for them. I will admit that this isn't always easy. Our natural tendency is not the see the positive benefits. Our natural tendency is to see only the problem itself. And the more we look at the problem the bigger it gets, until our perception becomes completely distorted. At this point it is real easy to become side-tracked and lose sight of our priorities. And when you lose sight of your priorities, it is impossible to see the benefits of any problem.
Your priorities become distorted when you keep your eyes on the problem. Instead of looking for solutions, we spend our time trying to put out fires.
Paul's top priority was the gospel of Jesus Christ. He wasn't concerned with "putting out the fire" of his imprisonment, he was concerned with spreading the fire of the gospel. He didn't complain about the unfair treatment he had received. He didn't ask the Philippian church to start a petition drive demanding his release. He didn't try to organize any protest groups. He wasn't worried at all about the effect his adversity would have on him, he was only thinking about how his imprisonment would impact the spread of Christianity.
One benefit of every problem is that it gives you an opportunity to evaluate your priorities. Is your relationship with Jesus Christ more important than anything else in the world? And when your priorities are in order, it is easy to see the other benefits as well.
The second thing to do when life gets you down is to:
II. CONSIDER THE LIMITATIONS
If your problems seem insurmountable, you need to change your perspective. There are a few things even the worst problems can't do. They can't separate you from God's love, they can't separate you from God's family, and they can't separate you from God's protection. God is bigger than any problem you will ever face. And God has the ability to turn any problem into an "either way I win" situation. See how Paul puts his adversity in perspective in verse 20-21:
It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
Optimism in the face of adversity is simply a matter of perspective.
Finding the limitations of a problem involves changing our perspective. Our problems are not all-powerful; God is all-powerful. Also, in the midst of adversity, you have two things going for you:
1) the power of prayer, and
2) the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is what Paul said in verse 19:
...for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.
Think about the problems you are facing right now. What is it that you are focusing on? Do you keep reminding yourself about all the damage this problem can cause? Do you catch yourself saying, "This will be the end of me, I'll be ruined, I'll never be able to bounce back"? Try this: Instead of focusing on all that a problem can do, focus on all that a problem can't do. It can't defeat you. Either way, you win. That's the way God arranged it.
The third thing to do when life gets you down is to:
III. CONSIDER THE OPPORTUNITIES
You have probably heard that the Chinese word for "crisis" is a compound of two words, "dangerous" and "opportunity". Every problem you face is an opportunity for God to accomplish something in your life. It will most likely involve helping people. Paul recognized this. He had committed his life to helping people grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ, so prison wasn't an obstacle for him, it was an opportunity to write letters to churches he couldn't visit. I'm sure he didn't know at the time those letters would become Scripture. He was simply motivated by the desire to help people. Look at what he wrote in verses 23-25:
...my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith.
Nobody likes living through a crisis. Given a choice, we would choose a less painful path. But one certainty of life is that we will all face adversity at some time or another. The question is how will you use that adversity to help others?
Every problem has hidden opportunities for ministry. When we search for the opportunities, the problems become powerless.
CLOSE:
When Jesus died, nearly all of his disciples thought all hope was lost. This problem was much too big. They didn't see the Benefits of the problem, that by His death Jesus could take away the sins of the world (John 2:2). They didn't see the Limitations, that death did not have the power to keep him in the grave (1 Corinthians 15:55). And they didn't see the Opportunity, that through the death and resurrection of Christ, salvation could be offered to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
You see, our problems aren't punishment. They are an opportunity for us to experience the power of God in our lives. When life gets you down, look up. God is up to something good on your behalf.
(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)
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